Evidence of meeting #6 for Veterans Affairs in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was jason.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK
Okay. Perhaps we need another study.
On the fact that there was no information available, you mentioned information just now that you were able to find. How is it that the military could not assist in any way in providing you with the information needed for a proper report?
As an Individual
To be honest with you, the military never asked for any information throughout the BOI process.
I have his shadow file, which has all his remedial measures. The harassment he was going through within his one unit here in Trenton.... The CO and the chief were removed [Technical difficulty—Editor]—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde
Mrs. Thompson, we seem to be having technical difficulties.
I will stop our clock and ask our technical support to reach out to Mrs. Thompson.
I will suspend for a few minutes until we solve this problem.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde
Mrs. Thompson, you are back with us.
I'm sorry about those technical difficulties.
Conservative
Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK
I was basically asking about how you had that information, yet the armed forces didn't seem to have it. You were talking about a shadow file.
As an Individual
Yes, he kept his personal file with him because he deployed so often and was tasked out so often. Everything that would have been on his personal file he had at home. Every initial counselling, recorded warning or paperwork that had anything to do with the military—his MPRR or his military record—was all in this folder.
Conservative
Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK
Can you explain to me why that wouldn't be considered enough information for the military to respond to or to have accepted as evidence?
As an Individual
They never asked. When I said I had it, they said they pulled his personal file from the OR.
Conservative
Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK
Okay, thank you.
You also mentioned the fact that you've gotten assistance through CAF because you're serving, but as a widow, you and your children do not get any support from Veterans Affairs. The ombud was here, and she talked about this very issue. Family members, when the member serves, can get assistance if that member is willing to have them get that assistance, but regardless, if that individual who is serving passes away, all of that support is immediately cut off from the family.
I can't think of a time when you would need those kinds of supports more than after having lost that individual under whatever circumstances were taking place in their service. Can you speak to that at all?
As an Individual
For me personally.... For my children, I reached out to Children's Mental Health. The children still have benefits through me because I am still serving, but again, that is through Canada Life, which is completely different from any type of VAC benefits. They—
Conservative
Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK
All right. We're VAC, so let's talk about the potential through VAC.
As an Individual
Okay. They haven't received any through that.
My children and I have gone through therapy without assistance from [Technical difficulty—Editor]. I have claimed all of their therapy through my own benefits with the CAF. I don't qualify for VAC benefits for the children because his death was deemed non service related.
Conservative
Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK
I can't get my head around that. I don't know how you get up in the morning and carry on, quite honestly, when you hear those types of things.
The duty of care and the responsibility of VAC for those family services aren't in place because of the legislation that controls what can and cannot be offered. I know that you did have assistance because of the fact that you do serve, but for others who are spouses and have children and who wouldn't have that opportunity, I would like to hear whether or not you feel that legislation needs to be changed by government so that VAC can provide the care that families who serve along with their members should receive.
Conservative
Conservative
Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK
I'm just wondering if the fact that legislation is needed to change the rules around the fact that VAC doesn't have the ability to provide services to spouses and children after that individual has passed away. Should that be changed? I know you're getting it through CAF, but for those who are not serving and are spouses and children who are owed that duty of care, do you feel that should change?
As an Individual
I 100% agree that needs to change. Even if a family member is not a serving member, the families fight with the soldiers. They are part of the reason that soldier is where they are. They deserve to have the benefits to be able to care after the veteran has passed away, whether by suicide or in combat. They deserve to have the supports. They supported their member in fighting for this country, and they need to have the supports. It should definitely be changed.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marie-France Lalonde
Thank you very much, Mrs. Thompson.
We'll now ask Mr. Casey to go ahead for six minutes.
Liberal
Sean Casey Liberal Charlottetown, PE
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'm going to continue on with Ms. Wagantall's line of questions, Ms. Thompson, but let me first say thank you for being with us and for sharing your deeply personal story. I cannot imagine how difficult that must be. Thank you for your service.
I believe I understood you to say in your opening statement that you are presently a serving member. Is that correct?